Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Obviously. In any event, the Deputy is aware that the Government has allocated €70 million in respect of this particular crisis. Local authorities apply to us in respect of existing schemes. We normally spend approximately €3.5 million on the minor works scheme. This year we will spend multiples of that. When the €3.5 million to which I refer is spent, we will obtain a Supplementary Estimate from the Minister, Deputy Howlin. That could happen in March, May or October and it will be based on the applications from local authorities. I do not want the nonsensical charge made by Deputy Ó Cuív to remain unanswered. We have spoken to the engineers and county managers on a daily basis and told them to get on with the task. We do not want any bickering or bureaucracy in this instance. They should spend the money and then recoup it from us. This has already happened in some instances. The Deputy might not want, for his own propaganda purposes, to accept it but we are getting on with the task of fixing flood defences. That needs to be done and it is our priority.

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